Auto's & Moto's

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A better hybrid design?

More or different Toyota hybrid sales?

The Auris is Toyota’s European Corolla, however, the Auris has not been nearly as popular as the Corolla. Toyota is hoping a few upgrades and refinements and, more importantly, a new hybrid drive could help change those sale’s dynamics.

Likewise, the Auris hybrid might soon also hit American shores, but what does that mean for Prius, and overall hybrid, sales?

Can the Auris hybrid provide a nice jump in overall Toyota hybrid sales, or will it simply conquest some Prius buyers?

Without question, the new Auris hybrid offers a much different body style than the Toyota Prius, and since many hybrid buyers have complained about the looks and styling of the Prius, the new Auris hybrid might provide a nice alternative. Nevertheless, can this option provide a significant increase in overall Toyota hybrid sales, especially if it costs just $400 less than the Prius?

Inevitably, if Toyota seeks a big increase in the sales of hybrid cars, are not cheaper hybrids the only real path forward?

Certainly, adding another model to their hybrid portfolio should help Toyota scale their hybrid investment, especially in Europe, and that will help reduce hybrid costs. Moreover, any big increase in hybrid sales in Europe would be a nice improvement for Toyota.

But what does the Auris mean for America? For instance, is it possible that the Auris hybrid could be as popular as the Prius – without stealing too many Prius consumers? Or, will the Auris be more proof that their can be only one Prius, at least until hybrid costs decline rather significantly?

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Would you buy your car again?

Every year Consumer Reports asks its subscribers if they would buy their car again.

Pretty much every year, the Toyota Prius is one of the top ‘buy again’ vehicles, as it was again this year, coming in at number 5. But the Prius wasn’t the top hybrid on this year’s list.

Coming in at number 2 was the Ford Fusion hybrid.

Perhaps that helps explain why the Prius and the Fusion hybrid are the top two selling hybrid cars in the US?

Fusion hybrid sales up 73 percent

Compared to last year, this year’s November hybrid vehicle auto sales were up 21 percent. Still, total new car market share was only 2.7 percent for hybrid cars.

Almost half of all hybrids sold were Toyota Prius hybrids, and almost three-quarters of all hybrids sold were made by Toyota.

The only real bright spot outside of Toyota was the Ford Fusion hybrid with 2,361 total units sold. For comparison the similarly-sized Toyota Camry hybrid sold 1,465 units. However, the Prius sold 9,617 units.

7th Month in a Row

The Toyota Prius is again the best selling vehicle in Japan, as it has been for the last 7 months. In fact, one of every ten vehicles sold in Japan is a Prius. Overall, Toyota sold 26,815 Prius hybrids in November.

The Honda Insight came in at 5th at 9,413 units.

In the last year or so there have been some studies regarding the inability of tax credits to help move hybrid cars. Perhaps that’s the case in Canada, but it certainly isn’t the case in Japan.

All about the Sienna today

Well, the new Sienna minivan will offer a fuel efficient 4-cylinder version next year. That’s good news, but how about some new hybrid hype?

Rumors of new Prius-based hybrids, for instance, have been floating around for years. Why not step it up? This the LA Auto Show, the green showcase, for crying out loud.

Early next year Toyota will put 500 plug in Prius hybrids on the road, months before GM begins production. That’s not news?

Is Toyota afraid? Embarrassed? Why so hybrid complacent?